I first learned about Ram Dass guided meditations when I stumbled upon some of his teachings online. I was drawn to his gentle, humorous style and the profound wisdom he shared. As I explored more, I realized Ram Dass learned meditation from great Indian saints and spent decades guiding others on the spiritual path.
Key Takeaways
- Practicing mindfulness meditation requires simply noticing present moment experiences with acceptance
- Mantra meditation gives the wandering mind a focal point to return to again and again
- Lovingkindness practice involves sending compassion to ourselves and others
- Open awareness meditation expands perspective to take in the whole of each moment
- Getting caught up in thoughts during meditation is normal – gently come back to presence
- Progress happens not by judging ourselves but through coming back again and again with friendliness
- Awakening comes from keeps awakening to the peace available here and now
Ram Dass Meditation
Here is an outline of the meditation from Ram Dass:
- 00:08 🧘♂️ Introduction to Meditation
- The video begins with an invitation to meditate for about 10 minutes.
- Emphasis on experiencing the present moment without judgment.
- Encouragement to let go of thoughts and simply be.
- 01:46 🌬️ Being Present in the Moment
- Focus on being present and returning to direct sensory experiences.
- Noticing thoughts and sensations without attachment.
- The idea of letting things stay or go as they choose in the mind.
- 04:03 ☁️ Embracing Thoughts and Sensations
- The transient nature of thoughts, feelings, and sensations is emphasized.
- Comparison of thoughts to clouds passing through the sky.
- Encouragement to coexist with various states of mind without striving for achievement.
- 07:23 🌟 Embracing Being
- Acknowledgment of the vast presence within oneself.
- Emphasis on just being without effort or the need to accomplish.
- A reflection on the intrinsic state of being.
My Introduction to Mindfulness Through Ram Dass
Before finding Ram Dass, I had tried meditation a few times but always seemed to get discouraged. Focusing on my breath made me anxious, and I couldn’t sit still for more than a few minutes before getting distracted. However, there was something different about the way Ram Dass described the practice that deeply resonated with me.
In one talk, Ram Dass leads a meditation centered on noticing whatever we are experiencing in the present moment. He instructed staying aware of sensations in the body, thoughts passing through the mind, and emotions arising – without judging any of it as good or bad.
“As we practice this mindfulness, we are learning to observe rather than identify with these experiences,” Ram Dass explained.
I decided to try this technique of noticing my moment-to-moment experience without reacting. While thoughts still jumped around, I found it easier to refocus on the present.
Tips for Beginning Meditators
- Start with just 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increase from there. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to sit perfectly still for 30 minutes as a beginner!
Exploring My Inner World Through Meditation
In another profound guided meditation, Ram Dass first has us focus on the breath as it goes in and out. Then he suggests bringing attention to the center of the chest, imagining we are breathing through our hearts.
“Imagine you can breathe in and out through your heart, the middle of your chest,” Ram Dass gently suggests.
As I tried this, I pictured myself sending breath to this calm space within. I noticed my thoughts started to slow down as I connected to my spiritual center. Feelings of inner peace and insight began arising.
Benefits I’m Experiencing from Heart-Centered Meditation
| Increased Intuition | Growing Inner Calm |
| More Insight into Self/Others | Heightened Concentration |
| Deeper Sense of Purpose | Feeling More Present |
Tip: Don’t Force It!
- If you strain too hard to “get it right,” you’ll likely just create more tension. Simply letting go and allowing experiences to unfold is key.
My Journey into Mindful Mantra Meditation
Lately, I’ve been exploring Ram Dass’s teachings on mantra meditation. A mantra is a word or phrase that you repeat silently to yourself during meditation. This helps train the wandering mind to focus.
Ram Dass explains that rather than artificially stopping thoughts, mantras give the chatter a specific outlet. As I breathe in and out, I gently repeat “let it go” in my mind. This has been profoundly healing for me. Difficult emotions seem to lose their grip as I surrender them on the out-breath.
“The mantra helps you disidentify from the drama of your thoughts,” Ram Dass wisely shares in a talk.
Some days, the mantra synchronizes effortlessly with my breath; other times, I keep forgetting. But Ram Dass encourages not judging yourself. Wherever you are is perfectly fine.
Tip: Don’t Judge Your Progress!
- Comparing yourself to others or worrying about “not doing it right” only creates more stress. Simply come back to the present moment with self-acceptance.
Discovering the Magic of Walking Meditation
In my exploration of Ram Dass’s wisdom, I learned how bringing mindful awareness to everyday activities can profoundly deepen our connection with the present moment. Walking meditation has become one of my favorite practices.
Ram Dass suggests allowing the breath to find its own natural rhythm as you walk slowly and consciously. I focus on the sensations of each foot lifting, moving forward, and making contact with the ground. When thoughts inevitably arise, I gently guide my attention back to the experience of walking.
“Thoughts will come and go like clouds moving across the sky,” Ram Dass intones lovingly. “Just keep returning to the next step, and the next.”
I’m amazed at how just 10 mindful minutes of walking can leave me feeling peaceful and connected. I gain glimpses into the beauty of ordinary moments I usually overlook.
Tip: Make it a Ritual!
- Playing peaceful music and walking the same route helps cue your system it’s time for mindful movement.
My Journey with Loving Kindness Meditation
One of Ram Dass’s most touching guided meditations focuses on sending loving kindness to ourselves and others. He notes how rarely we offer unconditional friendliness, even to those closest – and especially to ourselves.
I decided every day to spend a few minutes following Ram Dass’s instructions on lovingkindness practice. I start by picturing someone I care for, sending them silently affirmations of love and peace. I pay attention to the warm feeling this generates in my heart.
“After connecting with the energy of love, turn this attention toward yourself,” Ram Dass instructs. “Even areas of your life you judge, send compassion.”
I’m learning to greet my flaws and struggles with gentle understanding through this practice. And I trust Ram Dass completely when he says I’m part of something timeless and sacred.
Tip: Think Small to Start
- If picturing masses of unknown people feels overwhelming, bring lovingkindness first to someone you’re grateful for. Little by little, widen your compassion circle.
My Journey with Walking Meditation
In my exploration of Ram Dass’s wisdom, I learned how bringing mindful awareness to everyday activities can profoundly deepen our connection with the present moment. Walking meditation has become one of my favorite practices.
Ram Dass suggests allowing the breath to find its own natural rhythm as you walk slowly and consciously. I focus on the sensations of each foot lifting, moving forward, and making contact with the ground. When thoughts inevitable arise, I gently guide my attention back to the experience of walking.
“Thoughts will come and go like clouds moving across the sky,” Ram Dass intones lovingly. “Just keep returning to the next step, and the next.”
I’m amazed at how just 10 mindful minutes of walking can leave me feeling peaceful and connected. I gain glimpses into the beauty of ordinary moments I usually overlook.
Tip: Make it a Ritual!
- Playing peaceful music and walking the same route helps cue your system it’s time for mindful movement.
My Journey with Open Awareness Meditation
A profound mindfulness technique I’ve started exploring through Ram Dass is open awareness meditation. Rather than narrowing our focus, this practice expands perspective to take in the whole moment just as it is.
Ram Dass guides settling into a gentle, effortless awareness of sensations, sounds, thoughts, and feelings passing through present experience. As I relax into this open attending, a sense of calm spaciousness grows around and within me.
“Allow this moment – just as it is right now – to unfold,” Ram Dass intones in a soothing voice. “There is nowhere to go, nothing else to do except rest in awareness.”
Sometimes what I notice are judging thoughts about not “doing it right.” But with Ram Dass’s support, I remember the perfection of simply bearing witness without needing to change a thing.
Tip: Take a Pause
- When caught in self-criticism, take three conscious breaths. This shifts you from thinking about the experience to directly perceiving it.
Discovering True Peace Through Ram Dass’s Guidance
While I’m still very much a beginner, the more I practice mindfulness meditation with Ram Dass, the more I discover wellsprings of inner peace. As I learn to observe my thoughts and emotions without identifying with them, they seem to lose their control over me.
And in those moments when I fall out of witnessing and get pulled back into mental stories, self-judgment arises a lot less frequently nowadays. I notice what happened and gently return attention to the present.
Ram Dass’s warm, human presence gives me living proof true freedom and joy comes from awakening to this moment, just as it is. He makes this depth of awareness feel accessible to anyone with an open heart.
I’m profoundly grateful to have found such a wise, compassionate meditation guide as Ram Dass. His teachings reveal our eternal wholeness waits patiently within for whenever we’re ready to look inside and realize who we truly are.
FAQ on Ram Dass Guided Meditation
Q: What are some recent reviews on Ram Dass Guided Meditation: Loving Awareness Steps?
A: The recent reviews reflect a positive response from users, most of whom found the guided meditation provided by Ram Dass to be profoundly calming and insightful. Users noted that they felt a deeper connection with their personal experience and were able to notice what they were directly experiencing in the moment, leading to a sense of peace and equanimity.
Q: How does Ram Dass lead the “Love, Serve, Remember” meditation?
A: Ram Dass leads a guided meditation centered on the mantra of “Love, Serve, Remember”. He encourages participants to focus on their breath, noticing the rising and falling, while repeating this mantra. He further shares that the love, serve, remember mantra can dislodge the focus from self-centeredness and cultivate a greater sense of interconnectedness and compassion.
Q: How can I access the “Go Behind” meditation that Ram Dass shares?
A: Ram Dass shares various meditations, including “Go Behind”, via the Insight Timer app. You can also get guided meditations directly from the official website under their privacy policy.
Q: Where can I find more about “Ram Dass explores” series?
A: More about the “Ram Dass explores” series can be found on his official website and inside the Insight Timer app. They include a variety of guided meditations, dialogues, lectures, and interviews that Ram Dass conducted over the years.
Q: Who is Maharajji referred to by Ram Dass in his guided meditations?
A: Maharajji, also known as Neem Karoli Baba, was an influential guru to Ram Dass. Many of Ram Dass’s teachings, including his Meditation: Loving Awareness Steps, were inspired by the guidance and love he received from Maharajji.
Q: What is the association between Ram Dass and Boreta?
A: Boreta, a member of the Glitch Mob, collaborated with Ram Dass to create a meditative music journey based on Ram Dass’s teachings. The ultimate intention was to use music as a transformative experience to ‘Love, Serve, Remember’.
Q: What does Ram Dass mean by the phrase “There’s no merit” in his teachings?
A: “There’s no merit” refers to Ram Dass’s teaching that spiritual practice is not about accumulating merit or achieving anything. Instead, the focus is on fully experiencing the present moment and cultivating equanimity, compassion, and love.
Q: What roles did Raghu Markus and Ram Dass perform in the creation of “Be Here Now”?
A: Raghu Markus was a close associate of Ram Dass and a collaborator on various projects. In regard to the publication of “Be Here Now”, he played a significant role in its development and distribution.
Q: What is the significance of “In-Breath” and “Let it pour through your body” in Ram Dass’s meditation guidelines?
A: “In-Breath” and “Let it pour through your body” are pointers that Ram Dass uses during his guided meditations. Practitioners are guided to focus on their in-breath, and as they breathe out, to imagine love and kindness pouring through their body, starting from the center of their chest.
Q: Did Ram Dass share any of his teachings in Maui?
A: Yes, much of Ram Dass’s later teachings and retreats took place in Maui. He found the serenity and beauty of the island conducive to spiritual practice and gatherings.
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